u1d1 Create a list of expectations and questions concerning this course, and post it in the Course Discussion area. Consider the following:

1. What are your previous experiences creating multimedia projects?
Most of my experience was in the course, TS 5506, previous to this course. I have done some animation and filmmaking but these were prior to my computer experiences.

2. What are your expectations for this course?
I hope to learn and use the course offerings including graphics, animation, video, and sound.

3. When it is appropriate to use animation to illustrate a concept or story, and when it is more appropriate to use still graphics?
Even though sometimes it is possible to freeze frame animation or video, animation tends to flash by so when something needs to be paused, studied, and pondered then still graphic images are appropriate.

4. What are the most important factors in the decision to use animation in a Web site?

Effectiveness and appropriateness are the two main reasons to use animation in a website. Like it or not, we live in a world of change and motion and video and animation reflect that reality. Animation can liven up a site whereas too many still images, sometimes unfortunately, can be considered dull or boring by today's standards.

u1d1 Web sites can be rather dull, with or without animations. The content on the web site is what determines the interest to the users, and that's usually where my sites fall apart! I think you're right about using Flash for an appropriate subject. Louis Mangini

u1d2 Answer the following questions about "Exploring Web Technologies," then post them in the Course Discussion area.

u1d2 1. When would you want to use Flash and when should you choose not to use Flash?

When to use Flash:

to convey a feeling of energy and motion.
to give color and emotion to a site.
to generate interest in the viewer or the public.
for entertainment purposes.
for some educational purposes.
for games and commercial purposes .for animation.

When not to use Flash:

to convey a formal, dignified demeanor in some situations.
to convey high informational content.
for some eductional purposes.
for information to be read, studied, or pondered.
for some problem solving activities.
for high informational content text such as contracts, tables, etc.

2. What are the most effective uses of Flash?

The most effective uses of Flash are those mentioned in the above mentioned instances of when to use Flash especially when vector graphics are used at various screen sizes while retaining the same image quality and character (as opposed to bitmap graphics). ----- Richard

u1d3 Share a little about yourself: your family, career goals, and work experience are all relevant. After posting your autobiography, you may comment on the biographies posted by your classmates.

For the past several years I have been teaching English in in foreign countries ( Seoul , South Korea ; Tokyo and Chiba , Japan ; Prague , Czech Republic ; Istanbul , Turkey ; Xi'an and Shanghai , China ; and now Taipei , Taiwan ). Prior to teaching English I was employed in mostly arts related activities and have done commissioned artwork (some of which is contained in http://vle1.capella.edu/125836) having studied art and architecture. I received a BFA degree from the University of Georgia . I have lived mostly in Athens and Atlanta , GA in addition to the above mentioned cities and I have traveled around Europe and Asia . Hobbies and interests include: traveling, and also reading, listening to music, good conversation, watching movies, tennis, swimming, bicycling, to name a few.

I'm going back to the USA on July 22 (2004) so I'll finish the courses there. I'm going for a master's in education and am taking this course as an elective though I'm interested in animation and computer technology.

Educational background: Clemson University (architecture,literature,calculus, etc. courses); Georgia State University (art,history,literature,evolution,political science,physics,astronomy,philosophy,etc. courses); Georgia Institute of Technology (architecture); UGA art and history studies abroad in Cortona, Italy; University of Georgia (art, literature, psychology, French, calculus, biology,physical education,philosophy,etc. courses) BFA degree with an emphasis in drawing and painting.

Looking forward to learning a great deal in this course as I did in the previous one. ----- Richard

Hello Richard,
Of the places you have traveled, which place stands out from the rest? Do you have a favorite?
Have a safe journey back to the US . ----- Chris

I like something about each place but if I had to choose one in Asia it would be Japan and in Europe the Benelux area (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg). ----- Richard

Cool. I've thought about teaching English in Japan . Sort of a free, long trip to Japan . Did you learn a lot of the local languages while you were in those countries? Or did you know them already? Did you do a lot of shopping? (Forget sight-seeing, it's the shopping.) ---- Julie

Sounds like you're born to shop ;-). Japan is interesting and worth going to but don't expect to find any shopping bargains. Figuring in the exchange rate, prices there can be 3 or 4 times higher than in the USA and much more compared to other countries. Salaries there are also higher but they usually get consumed by the high cost of living there. Still, it's worth going to if you can arrange it. I learned a little Japanese and their katakana and hiragana alphabet of 50 letters plus some Kanji which are the Chinese characters that they use. ----- Richard

u1d4 Respond to other learner's questions and expectations. A dynamic conversation is the goal.

I think there is a lot to learn in relation to Flash animation. I am hoping there will be some ways to import some 3 dimensional images and animation to give a more realistic look to the animation projects. The download time issue I think perhaps could be helped by effective use of preloaders and movie clips. ----- Richard

u1d5 Respond and comment on other learner's responses to the readings. Continue discussion about the reading on "Exploring Web Technologies."

In the websites listed in the schedule under unit 1 study activities the Blitz Digital Studios website is well done and the Flash Forward film entries are interesting.

The Flash MX 2004 Bible readings are informative but I'm not quite sure yet how we are to use the information in the CDRom that is included in the Flash MX 2004 Bible but perhaps that will be revealed to us as time goes on. ----- Richard

u1d5 Hi Richard, Good to see you again in this course. Yes, the Blitz Studios is really good! I agree. That is a really good example of a fun and interesting web site for sure. I wonder how many people worked on that project? I haven't checked out the CDROM yet either. :-) Mark.

u1d5 I think that any site with any type of Flash animation has the characteristics of being a well developed site. The CD-Rom has all the trail software for MX as well as a few files used throughout the book for demonstration purposes. I have the full store bought version so I am not sure of what the limitations are of the trail software. I will try to install the trial software on my laptop to see the differences. Matthew Heck

u1d5 I do not have as much background with flash as I've seen in some of the postings. I've already used the CD and worked on the quickstart section. It was useful and provided easier step-by-step explanations than other tutorials I've seen, but I am still tempted to write my own sometimes.
There are some features that are not consistent with the book. I decided to purchase supplemental text ( Flash MX HOT ) since I found the dreamweaver HOT easy to use. So far, the Flash bible has good information on layout and usability and other features that I look forward to using. I have wanted to try cold fusion for a while. Natalie

u1d5 We used the HOT book in TS5506. It's a very good introduction to Flash and I liked the tone better than the Dreamweaver HOT book. That one was too informal and buddy-buddy with emoticons and weird comments all over the place. Julie

u1d5 Response to Mark ----- Mark, Here's a belated hello to you. By the way, I've always liked llamas (I wonder why there is an extra �L� in llama?). When I saw some on display by veterinarians showing their pets at the University of Georgia , the llamas seemed to not want to be touched even though they look so touchable -- I guess after they get to know someone then they are more affectionate. ----- Richard